Topic: timing + idle = no start

[BAMF]

Let me elaborate on the title...

So I set my idle at 850 rpm, set the timing (jump terminals, 5* BTDC, 12* when not retarded, etc.) but a persistent problem I have is that its hard to start cold.  It has to crank over for 10+ seconds before it starts.  When it's hot it fires right up in a second.  If I turn my idle up (around 1000 rpm) it will start cold just fine but then every time I hit the brakes it cuts the idle, jumps back up, cuts again, etc.  Any ideas? 

The wife said she's tired of coming out to the garage and hearing me rant and rave at the truck.  Please, help my marriage.

[coryc85]

Is this an EFI?  Supposedly if your idle is set too high, hitting the brake will tell the computer to cut fuel because you are braking.  Not sure about the cold start problem.  Do you hear the fuel pump run when you turn the key to ON?  There is a relay that I believe primes the fuel and it has something to do with measuring air sucked in thru the intake before it will turn on the fuel pump.  Check 4crawler's page for some more info on that, but it helped my 88.

[BAMF [OP]]

Yeah, its EFI.  The cold start problem goes away when I increase the idle but then it cuts fuel when I hit the breaks.  Fuel pump works fine.

[BAMF [OP]]

Wow.  A lot of good info on that page.    I'll check back in 2 days when I'm done reading it. Can't talk, reading....

[emsvitil]

Test the cold-start timer. (hard start)

Not sure about the other part